Vitex negundo plant named &#39;LITTLE MADAME&#39;

ABSTRACT

A new  vitex  plant named ‘Little Madame’ has violet blue flowers with a blotch of white on the anterior lip, is smaller and has a more dense compact form than ‘Heterophylla’. ‘Little Madame’ also has shorter internodes and more multiple branches at nodes than ‘Heterophylla’. ‘Little Madame’ has mostly three to five leaflets and leaf margins that vary from entire to jagged.

GENUS AND SPECIES

Vitex negundo.

VARIETAL DENOMINATION

The new Vitex negundo claimed is of the cultivar denominated ‘LittleMadame’.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of Vitexnegundo hereinafter referred to by the varietal domination ‘LittleMadame’.

Pedigree and history: Under the direction of David Knauft, seeds fromVitex negundo ‘Heterophylla’ were irradiated with 3krad gamma radiationin 2006. These seeds were planted in a cultivated area in Watkinsville,Ga. in 2007. The new plant was selected from plants growing from theseseeds and was initially called Vhet-3krad, seedling 1. This selectedplant was asexually propagated via stem cuttings in Watkinsville, Ga.,and was transferred to Carol Robacker's breeding program in 2009. Thenew variety was renamed Vhet-3kr′ and subsequently renamed as ‘LittleMadame’. Three asexually propagated progeny of the new variety wereplanted in a field plot (randomized block design) in Griffin, Ga. (zone8a) in June 2009. Plants of the new variety have been evaluated for fiveyears at this site. One of the three progeny broke during planting, andnever fully recovered. An additional three asexually propagated plantsof the new variety were planted into the Griffin, Ga. field plot in theSpring of 2012. These plants have grown well, and appear to have vigorand other, characteristics like the plants from the 2009 planting. OnNov. 1, 2011, 52 rooted liners of the new plant were shipped to acompany in Bonsall, Calif. for evaluation.

Height and width data has been collected annually. Cold damage wasassessed each spring. Mean panicle length and number of panicles percompound panicle were counted each summer. First bloom and re-bloomdates were noted each year. Data was collected on leaf yellowing, leafdrop, and leaf spot in July, August and September of each year.

‘Little Madame’ has been grown in an irrigated field plot in Griffin,Ga. Plants have been fertilized annually in the spring. Height afterfive summer's growth is about 2.1 m. Stems are R.H.S. (RoyalHorticultural Society, 2007) yellow-green RHS 146C the first year,becoming grey-brown RHS 199D the second year, round, and covered withvery short curved hairs.

The trunk color is grey-brown RHS 199C. Exfoliation was not seen. Leavesemerge with a yellow-green RHS 144A upper surface, changing to a deeperyellow-green RHS 146C during the summer, and becoming lighteryellow-green RHS 146B in the fall. Fall leaves also have streaks ofgreyed-orange RHS 177A. Lower leaf surface color is yellow-green RHS144B at emergence, becoming greyed-green RHS 194C in summer and fall.

Leaves are palmately-compound, 7 cm long×5 cm wide, with three to fiveleaflets. Margins are entire or smooth with an occasional jagged edge,and with acuminate apices and bases. The upper leaf surface hasoccasional short curved hairs, though the margins have many short hairs.The lower leaf surface has scattered short curved hairs, while the veinshave many short curved hairs with scattered longer hairs. Leaves areslightly waxy and dull. Venation is simple. Leaf arrangement on stems isopposite.

Flower buds are violet RHS 85B with a dark violet RHS N88A blotch at thetip. Flowers occur in an elongated compound panicle, with a typicallength of 8 cm. At emergence, flower petals are dark violet RHS N88A. Atfull bloom, flower petals are violet-blue RHS 94B with blotches ofdarker violet-blue RHS 94A on the anterior lip. The anterior lip alsohas a blotch of white RHS N155B. The peduncle is grayed-green RHS 194B.The number of individual flowers per inflorescence ranges from 25 to 53.Petals are 6 mm×3 mm. Sepals are greyed-green RHS 194C on the lowersurface (the upper surface is not apparent). Anthers are dark violet RHS86A with filaments light purple RHS 76B.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following characteristics have been consistently observed in theoriginal plant of this new variety and in asexually propagated progenygrown from cuttings and, to the best knowledge of the inventors, theircombination forms the unique characteristics of ‘Little Madame’ as a newand distinct cultivar. Asexual propagation by cuttings has proven thatthese characteristics are firmly fixed in succeeding asexuallypropagated generations. As apparent from Tables 1-7 below, thecombination of unique characteristics comprise:

1. Short height;

2. Compact form;

3. Short internode length;

4. Multiple branches at nodes;

5. Typically three to five leaflets;

6. Leaf margins vary from entire to jagged. Flower clusters that are ofa relatively small diameter;

7. Typically two to four secondary panicles; and

8. Minimal leaf drop.

Comparison to standard: ‘Little Madame’ is an unusual dark purple vitexas compared to the standard V. negundo ‘Heterophylla’ (unpatented). Allof the plants of the new variety were propagated from shoot cuttings,rooted and grown in one-gallon containers before being planted into thefield. ‘Little Madame’ was planted into a field plot in Griffin in June2009 (three plants), and another three plants were planted in June 2012.‘Heterophylla’ was planted into the same field plot in June 2011. Datagiven in the Tables 1-7 below are based on two plants of ‘Little Madame’that were planted in 2009 and one plant of ‘Heterophylla’.

Comparison. Height and width were measured annually. ‘Little Madame’ issmaller than ‘Heterophylla’ and has a denser, more compact form (Table1, FIG. 1). Internodes are also shorter in ‘Little Madame’ than‘Heterophylla’, and multiple branches occur at nodes of ‘Little Madame’,while ‘Heterophylla’ shows the typical vitex pattern of two shoots pernode (Table 2, FIG. 2). Foliage is also remarkably different. Bothcultivars have palmately compound leaves, but ‘Little Madame’ has threeto five leaflets while ‘Heterophylla has five leaflets. The margins ofthe leaves of ‘Little Madame’ are entire or jagged, while those of‘Heterophylla’ are lobed (Table 3, FIGS. 3 and 4).

In 2012, ‘Little Madame’ began flowering at the same time as‘Heterophylla’. However, in 2013, ‘Little Madame’ bloomed one week laterthan ‘Heterophylla’ (Table 4). The selection ‘Little Madame’ bloomedfrom June through August, with flowers in September in most years inGeorgia as well. ‘Heterophylla’ shows a similar pattern, but with atendency for re-bloom in August and September in Georgia, rather thanJuly (Table 5). Panicles on ‘Little Madame’ are generally shorter inlength than ‘Heterophylla’, though much variation occurs among panicles.The diameter of individual flower clusters on the panicles is alsosmaller on ‘Little Madame’ than ‘Heterophylla’. The number ofsubpanicles ranges from two to four on ‘Little Madame’ versus two to sixon ‘Heterophylla’. (Table 6, FIG. 5). Both ‘Little Madame’ and‘Heterophylla’ have dark violet-blue flower color, N89C and N89D,respectively (FIG. 5).

No cold damage was observed on ‘Little Madame’ in any year (2010 through2013) in Griffin, Ga. (zone 8a). ‘Heterophylla’ also had no cold damage,though a leaf spot was evident in both 2012 and 2013. ‘Little Madame’showed no leaf spot or other disease at any time. Plants were rated forleaf yellowing and leaf drop in July through September of 2012 and 2013.Minor leaf yellowing was observed in most months for ‘Little Madame’,but leaf drop was minimal to none for most months (Table 7).‘Heterophylla’ had minor to moderate yellowing in July and August, andmoderate to severe yellowing in September. Moderate leaf drop occurredin most months (Table 7).

Vitex negundo is a deciduous shrub or small tree occasionally used inlandscapes. This drought tolerant species is typically grown in coldhardiness zones 6 through 9. During cold winters in zone 6, plants ofthe species may die back to the ground, but will likely re-grow from theroots and produce a flowering shrub during the following summer, asflower buds are formed on new growth. Late spring freezes or coldmid-winter temperatures in zone 7 and 8 may also cause cold damage anddieback, but the plants recover and bloom during the summer.

‘Little Madame’ can be propagated vegetatively by stem cuttings.

In Tables 1-7 below, data for ‘Little Madame’ is based on two plants andthe data for ‘Heterophylla’ is based on one plant. Numbers inparentheses are standard deviations.

TABLE 1 Height (H) and width (W) (cm) of V. negundo ‘Little Madame’, and‘Heterophylla’ two, three and four years after planting in a field plotin Griffin, Georgia. Season 2 Entry (H x W) Season 3 Season 4 ‘Little122 (30) × 158 (29) × 200 (0) × Madame’ 177 (24) 231 (35) 260 (19)‘Hetero- 198 H × 219 W 260 H × 322 W 260 H × 396 W phylla’

TABLE 2 Branching pattern of ‘Little Madame’ and ‘Heterophylla’. Tenrandom samples were collected from each plant. Number of branchesInternode length Entry at a node (mm) ‘Little Madame’ 5.8 (0.9) 18 (7.1)‘Heterophylla’ 2.0 (0)   48 (9.2)

TABLE 3 Description of foliage of ‘Little Madame’ and ‘Heterophylla’Entry Number of leaflets Leaf margin ‘Little Madame’ Three to fiveEntire or serrated ‘Heterophylla’ Five Lobed

TABLE 4 First bloom dates of ‘Little Madame’ and ‘Heterophylla’ grown inGriffin, Georgia. First bloom First bloom First bloom Entry 2011 20122013 ‘Little Madame’ 5-30 5-14 6-17 ‘Heterophylla’ — 5-14 6-10

TABLE 5 Repeat flowering in July, August, September and October in 2011,2012, and 2013. Entry Year July August September October ‘Little Madame’2011 2.5* 3 3 0 2012 2.5 3 0.5 0 2013 3 3 0 0 ‘Heterophylla’ 2011 0 32.5 0 2012 2.5 3 2.5 0.5 2013 0 0.5 1 0 *Repeat flowering was ratedusing the following scale: 0 = no flowering; 1 = 10% full bloom; 2 = 20to 30% full bloom; 3 = 40 to 50% full bloom; 4 = at least 60% fullbloom.

TABLE 6 Panicle length, diameter and number of secondary peduncles perpanicle, were based on ten random samples. Mean panicle Mean panicleNumber of secondary Entry length (cm) diameter (cm) peduncles/panicle‘Little Madame’ 12.5 (1.9) 1.2 (0.33) Two to four ‘Heterophylla’ 15.1(2.6) 1.7 (0.30) Two to six

TABLE 7 Ratings of leaf yellowing and leaf drop in late summer of 2012and 2013. Leaf yellowing* Leaf drop* Entry Month 2012 2013 2012 2013‘Little July 0.5 ± 0.7 0 ± 0 0.5 ± 0.7 0 ± 0 Madame’ August 1 ± 0 0.5 ±0   0 ± 0 0 ± 0 September 1 ± 0 1 ± 0 0 ± 0 1 ± 0 ‘Heterophylla’ July 11 1 2 August 2 1 2 1 September 2 3 2 0 *Leaf yellowing and leaf dropwere rated as follows: 0 = none observed; 1 = minor level 2 = moderatelevel; 3 = severe level.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The accompanying colored photographic illustrations show the overallappearance and distinct characteristics of the new cultivar of Vitexnegundo. The colors in the photographs are as close as possible with thephotographic and printing technology utilized.

FIG. 1 is a photograph of the new variety ‘Little Madame’ (Top image)during flowering in Griffin, Ga. and a photograph of ‘Heterophylla’(bottom). ‘Little Madame’ is smaller and more compact than‘Heterophylla.’

FIG. 2 shows the shorter internodes and increased branching of ‘LittleMadame’ (top) compared to ‘Heterophylla’ (bottom).

FIG. 3 shows the foliage variation of ‘Little Madame’. Top photo showsserrated margins and the bottom shows entire margins. Leaflet numbervaries from three to five.

FIG. 4 shows the foliage of ‘Heterophylla’ showing five leaflets withlobed margins.

FIG. 5 shows the smaller flower clusters of ‘Little Madame’ (top) incomparison to the larger flower clusters of ‘Heterophylla’ (bottom).Both cultivars have similar flower colors.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed description of the new ‘Little Madame’cultivar. Data was collected in Griffin, Ga. from plants grown fromcuttings and growing outdoors. ‘Little Madame’ has not been tested underall possible conditions, hence, phenotypic differences may be observedwith variations in environmental conditions without any variance ingenotype.

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech, is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart, 5^(th) edition published byThe Royal Horticultural Society (R.H.S.), London, England.

-   Parentage: Induced mutation of ‘Heterophylla’.-   Size: 210 cm tall by 306 cm wide, measured at highest and widest    point, after five years growth. Size is reflective of habit, i.e.,    2′ by 3′ is rounded to broad-rounded.-   Habit: Broad rounded, upright.-   Texture: Fine.-   Stems:-   First year:    -   -   Color.—Yellow-Green RHS 146C.        -   Diameter.—2-3 mm.        -   Pubescence.—covered in very short, curved hairs.        -   Exfoliation.—none.        -   Shape.—Round.        -   Pith.—Type: Solid Diameter: 1.5 mm Color: White RHS 155C.        -   Odor.—mild, spicy.        -   Internode length.—approximately 2.5 cm.-   Second year:    -   -   Color.—Grey-Brown RHS 199D.        -   Diameter.—approximately 7 mm.        -   Exfoliation.—none.-   Vegetative buds:    -   -   Arrangement.—opposite.        -   Type.—valvate.        -   Size.—1 mm×1 mm.        -   Scale number.—2.        -   Scale color.—Greyed-Orange RHS 165B.        -   Position/disposition.—45°.        -   Number at node.—2 or more.        -   Pubescence.—tomentose.        -   Shape.—round.-   Leaf scar:    -   -   Shape.—crescent.        -   Vascular bundle traces.—3, horizontal.        -   Pubescence.—short hairs around perimeter.        -   Position of bud.—45° in leaf axil above vascular bundle.        -   Color differentiation.—Yellow-Green RHS 146C.        -   Size.—1×1 mm.-   Trunk or large stems:    -   -   Color.—Grey-Brown RHS 199C.        -   Size stem exfoliation begins on.—None observed.        -   Diameter.—2 cm and greater.        -   Texture.—mostly smooth.-   Leaf:    -   -   Color through seasons.—Emerging dates — Late April to early            May Upper: Yellow-Green RHS 144A Lower: Yellow-Green RHS            144B Summer dates — mid July Upper: Yellow-Green RHS 146C            Lower: Greyed-Green RHS 194C Fall dates — September Upper:            Yellow-Green RHS 146B with Greyed-Orange RHS 177A Lower:            Greyed-Green RHS 194C.        -   Mature size.—Typical 7 cm×5 cm.        -   Apex.—Acuminate.        -   Base.—Acuminate.        -   Margin.—mostly entire, occasionally jagged.        -   Shape.—palmate, mostly 3 to 5 leaflets Lobes: None Shape:            acutely elliptic Sinuses: none.        -   Vein color.—Yellow-Green RHS 144B.        -   Pubescence.—Upper surface has occasional short curved hairs;            margins have many short hairs; veins have many short curved            hairs with scattered longer hairs.        -   Arrangement on stem.—Opposite.        -   Venation.—Simple.        -   Texture.—Thickness: 0.35 mm Degree of waxiness of surfaces:            slightly waxy, not shiny.-   Petiole:    -   -   Length.—approximately 2 cm.        -   Shape.—slender, round.        -   Color.—Yellow-Green RHS 144A.        -   Pubescence.—densely covered in short curved hairs.        -   Diameter.—0.6 mm.-   Flower buds:    -   -   Size (l×w).—4 mm×1.5 mm.        -   Color.—Violet RHS 85B with Violet RHS N88A blotch at tip.        -   Shape.—small teardrop.        -   Pubescence.—densely covered in short hairs.        -   Time of full maturity (first visible).—late spring, early            June.        -   Time range for showiness.—mid May through September.-   Flower:-   Inflorescence(s):    -   -   Type.—compound panicle.        -   Size (l×w).—8 cm×1.5 cm.        -   Color.—at emergence — Violet RHS N88A full bloom —            Violet-Blue RHS 94B with blotches of Violet-Blue RHS 94A on            anterior lip; anterior also has blotch of White RHS N155B            fading — Violet-Blue RHS 94B with blotches of Violet-Blue            RHS 94A on anterior lip; anterior also has blotch of White            RHS N155B.        -   Peduncle.—Color: Greyed-Green RHS 194B Pubescence: densely            covered with short hairs Number of individual flowers per            inflorescence: 25-53.-   Petal(s):    -   -   Size.—6 mm×3 mm.        -   Shape.—zygomorphic, gamopetalous, bilabiate.        -   Apex.—lobed, zygomorphic.        -   Base.—funnel.        -   Margin.—slightly curled.        -   Pubescence.—mostly glabrous inside, with hairs and anterior            blotch (some are y-shaped); scattered hairs outside.        -   Texture.—mostly glabrous, very few glands.        -   Color at peak of bloom.—upper surface — Violet-Blue RHS 94B            with blotches of Violet-Blue RHS 94A on anterior lip;            anterior lip also has a blotch of White RHS N155B. lower            surface — Violet RHS 85B.        -   Pedicels.—color (RHS) — Greyed-Green RHS 194B pubescence —            densely covered in short hairs length — 1-2 mm.-   Sepal(s):    -   -   Size (l×w).—3 mm×1 mm.        -   Shape.—united, slightly lobed.        -   Apex.—slightly lobed.        -   Base.—united, short tubular, small bracteoles present.        -   Margin.—smooth.        -   Pubescence.—covered in short hairs.        -   Texture.—hoary.        -   Color at peak of bloom.—upper surface — not reflexed — not            visible lower surfaces — Greyed-Green RHS 194C.-   Male reproductive structures:    -   -   Number.—4.        -   Anther.—size (l×w) — 1 mm×0.5 mm color — Violet RHS 86A.        -   Filament.—size (l×w) — 4 mm×0.5 mm color — Purple RHS 76B            Pollen color — White RHS NN155D Pubescence — smooth toward            anthers, scattered hairs midway, becoming densely tufted at            base.-   Female reproductive structures:    -   -   Pistil.—shape — tubular, bifid size (l×w) — 4 mm×0.5 mm            position (superior, inferior, etc.) — superior color (RHS) —            Purple RHS 76B pubescence — thickly tufted hairs at base.        -   Stigma.—shape — round, bifid color (RHS) — White RHS 155C            pubescence — none.        -   Style.—length — approximately 3.5 mm shape — tubular, forked            at stigma (bifid) color (RHS) — Purple RHS 76B pubescence —            sparse, tufted at base.        -   Ovary.—shape — round number — 1 pubescence — many short            hairs, numerous glands present.-   Fruit:    -   -   Type.—drupe-like.        -   Size (l×w).—2.5 mm×1.5 mm.        -   Color(s) during ripening.—early — Yellow-Green RHS N144B            (mid June) late — Brown RHS 200B.        -   Shape.—globular.        -   Number per infructescence.—1.        -   Pubescence.—scattered very short hairs, glands present on            surface.        -   Number of carpels.—2.        -   Persistence (effective period).—mid to late summer through            fall into winter.-   Seed:    -   -   Shape.—globular.        -   Size.—2.5 mm×1.5 mm.        -   Color.—Brown RHS 200B when fully ripe.        -   Number per locule per ovary per fruit.—1.        -   Germination capacity.—very low, sets few viable seeds.        -   Pubescence.—none.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of the Vitex negundoplant named ‘Little Madame’ substantially as illustrated and describedherein.